Apparatus for feeding biscuits or the like to ovens, pans, conveyers, or the like



March 30, 1937. BAKER 2,075,012

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VIN T O]? GEORGE RALPH BAX E1? I ATTOENZY March 30, 1937. R BAKER 2,075,012

I APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed NOV. 7, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGE EALPJZBAKEIP ATTORNEY G. R. BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Smut GEOR GE RALPH BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 7; 1952 1 '10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR GEOEGEPAL PHBAKEB 3y 6? ATTORNEY March 30, 1937. G. RfBAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR'THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 7a 6554 ,55 7a 55 4s 4a 49 50a 64 50 4s [NV EN TOR GEORGE RALPH BAKER ATTORNEY G. R.. BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE March 30,

TO OVENS, PANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 JNVENZ'OE GEORGE JPAZPH BAKE]? ATTORNEY 2,075,0 1 2 LIKE 1O Sheets-Sheet 7 OR THE LIKE BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE CONVEYERS,

Filed Nov.

TO OVENS, FANS,

/ ATTORNEY March 30,

g3 QN 53 E uw 33 www G. R. BAKER APPARATUS FOR- FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, PANs, CONVEYERS, on THE-LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 ---i w. m.m m. w .m l n n w 11111 MHHHHH F L- i 2 1mm- -H m March 30, 1937.

6% Arrow March 30, 1937. G. R. BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS'OR THE LIKE To OVENS, FANS, CONVEYERS, OR.THE LIKE Filed Nov. 7, 1932 10 She ets-S heet 9 INVEIVTO/P 020202 )PALPHBAKFE ATTOJPNL'Y 1937. i G. R. BAKER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING BISCUITS OR THE LIKE TO OVENS, PANS, CONVEYERS, OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. '7, 1932 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 March 30,

INVZ'NTOI? GEORGE JPALPHBAAE)? 6 M 7 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 193v UNITED STATES APPARATUS- roa FEEDING nrscurrs on THE LIKE 'ro ovens, PANS, commas,

on THE LIKE George Ralph Baker, Willesden, London, England, assignor to Baker Perkins Company, Inc., Saginaw, Mich., a corporation of New York Application November 7, 1932, Serial No. 641,501 In Great Britain November 11, 1931 9 Claims. (01, 101-1) This invention relates to means for feeding dough shapes and like articles as supplied from a cutting or moulding'machine or other continuously operating source, to oven pans, continuously traveling ovens, or like machinery for further treatment.

Although the invention is applicable to other machine or supplying mechanism (referred to hereinafter as a cutting machine") having in association a continuously traveling delivery conveyer band, may be employed, the preferred type of cutting machine referred to more particularly herein is such as has a reciprocating and oscillating r tinuously traveling dough sheet and deliver the column of rows of cut biscuits in batches by the aid of a reciprocating 'panner blade over which a conveyer band travels.

inafter is used and intended to include ovens arranged side by side or an oven havinga plurality of conveyers arranged side by side, or single conveying means of a width adapted to accommodatea plurality of batches located side by side, I

or oven pans carried by a continuously traveling conveyer preparatory to their transfer to ovens.

, Furthermore, for convenience the description will be confined to the delivery to ovens of the traveling steel band type as distinct from the pan conveyerty'pe and as distinct fromthe delivery to pans or trays carried by a separate conveyer and adapted to be transferred later to ovens. Continuously traveling oven constructions of necessity operate ata somewhat slow rate determined by the baking conditions while cutting machines are capable of operating at a considerably greater rate and, hence, usually have to be run' at a rate well below their maximum or, in other words, the modern cutting machine which is an expensive piece of machinery is capable of an output far in excess of the capacity of the oven which it is intended to supply; It will, there- 85 fore, be appreciated that there is wastage or head adapted to cut biscuits from a con- The phrase plurality of ovens" employed herelack of efllciency on the cutting machine side in biscuit bakery plants. An object of the present invention is to provide a continuously operating mechanical means for delivering the output of a cutting machine working, at a rate approaching its maximum output (or at a rate adapted to supply the requirements of a plurality of ovens) to a plurality of ovens. Thus an aim of the invention lies in simultaneously serving from a single cutting machine, a plurality of ovens or a wide oven ofa lateral capacity which is a multiple of the width of the biscuit batch produced by the cutting ma chine.

The invention comprises a machine for feeding the biscuits from the conveyer band of a continuously operating cutting machine to a plurality of .ovens, offsetting batches of biscuits from the line of delivery of the cutting machine conveyer and advancing the biscuits on a correspondingly wider front in the same direction for delivery to the oven conveyer or conveyers.

The invention, also consists in assembling batches of biscuits abreast or in parallel for delivery to the ovens, upon a transfer conveyer (or conveyers) located between the cutting machine conveyer and the ovens and adapted to travel at differential rates corresponding with the movement of the cutting conveyer and the travel rate of the ovens.

The invention also comprises a shuttle element adapted to be displaced laterally, including a frame or support over which a conveyer band I is capable of relative displacement longitudinally, together with the actuating mechanism therefor. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 diagrammaticallyillustrates the application of the invention to the delivery of batches of biscuits from a cutter panned to three ven bands, and employing two shuttle panners.

' Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the movements of one shuttle panner. I

Figure 3 is a similar diagram illustrating the movements of the other shuttle panner.

Figure 4 is an elevation showing the general arrangement of a machine employing two shuttles.

Figure 4011s an enlarged side elevation showing the driving connection between the shuttle mechanism and the cutter panner drive shaft.

Figure 5 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 4.

Figure '5a is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 4a. Figure 6 is an elevation of a shuttle panner.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional elevation on the line 8-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a diagram of a development of the cams for operating the shuttle frames or panning blades and their panning webs.

Figure 11 is an elevation showing the drive from 10 the cams to the shuttles.

Figure 12 isa section of a detail (taken on the line I2--l2 of Figure 11) of a toothed quadrant.

Figure 13 is a section on the line l3-l3 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is an elevation showing a crank disc drive for moving the shuttles into position beneath the cutter panner.

Figure 15 is a part section plan taken on the line l5-i5 of Figure 14.

- Figures 16, 17 and 18 are detail views of the driving pawl for operating the crank discs shown in Figure 14.

Figure 19 is a view showing the cams for controlling the pawl shown in Figures 16, 17 and 18.

Figure 20 is an elevation of a mechanism for controlling the vertical movements of the cutter panner.

Figure 21 is a corresponding plan to Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a detail view showing the cam for controlling the vertical movements of the cutter panner.

Figure 23 is an elevation of the mechanism.

for controlling the transfer conveyer.

Figures 24, 25 and 26 are details of the transfer conveyer mechanism.

Figure 27 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified arrangement in which a single shuttle is provided and wherein the cutter panner supplies three oven bands.

Figure 28 is a diagram showing the movements of the shuttle panner and conveyer web corresponding to Figure 27. V

Figure 29 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of a single shuttle adapted to deliver two rows of biscuits to the oven, while Figure 30 is a diagram illustrating the movements of the panner frame and web of the shuttle in Figure 29.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode (see Figure 1, in which the biscuitsare represented by cross-hatching) and wherein the cutter panner is adapted to deliver batches 'of biscuits to three ovens, two shuttle panners A and B are provided which are adapted to receive alternately a batch of biscuits from the cutter panner C. As the cutter panner travels at three times the rate of the oven E the cycle of operations is conveniently divided into six parts corresponding to the three forward and return reciprocations of the cutter panner. I

The diagrams a to indicate the. positions of the parts over a complete cycle.

The shuttle panners A and B are in-turn moved beneath the cutter panner C and back again to their outer position with a batch of biscuits, after which the shuttles, together with' the cutter panner simultaneously deliver.v three batches side by side ontoattransfer or a difl'erential conveyer D. The difl'erehtial conveyer delivers the batches to 7 the ovens E; i

During the time. the difierential conveyer is receiving batches of biscuits from the cutter panner and shuttle panner, it is driven at a rate corresponding to the rate of travel of the conveyer of 75 the cutter panner, while when the transfer con-- Figure '7 is a plan corresponding to Figure 6. ,veyer pans onto the ovens E. the rate of travel of such conveyer is slower to agree with the speed of travel of the ovens. 2

Diagram a, Figure 1, shows the position at the end of panning from the shuttles A and B and the cutter panner 0 onto the transfer conveyer D.

During the next sixth of a cycle, while the cut- I ter panner is moving forwardly ready to pan, the

shuttle A moves beneath the cutter panner and forwardly into a position to receive a batch of panner A the shuttle B moves forwardly performing an idle stroke. The cutter panner then moves rearwardly to pan biscuits onto-the shuttle A, as indicated in diagram c, while at the same time shuttle A moves forwardly, the panning action being divided between the two panners. While this action is occurring the shuttle B again moves forward on an idle stroke so as to lie in alignment with the shuttle A.

biscuits. During this movement of the shuttle During the next sixth of the cycle the cutter I panner C again moves forwardly to occupy a position to pan while the shuttle panner A with the batch of biscuits moves outwardly and rearwardly into a position so that its panning blade is in alignment with the forward position of the cutter panner knife ready to pan biscuits onto the transfer conveyer.

Meanwhile the shuttle B moves inward beneath the cutter panner C and rearwardly to a position to receive a batch of biscuits therefrom. This position of the parts is shown in diagram d.

The cutter panner then moves rearwardly to pan while the shuttle 13 moves forwardly to receive the batch as indicated in diagram e.

During this period the shuttle A with its batch of biscuits remains stationary.

The cutter panner C then moves forwardly into a position to pan direct to the transfer conveyer D and at the same time the shuttle B moves outwardly and rearwardly so that its blade is in alignment with the panner blades of the cutter panner and the shuttle A. The cutter panner and the shuttles are now all in a position to pan three batches side by side simultaneously onto the transfer conveyer D, as indicated in the diaam The cycle is then repeated, the batches being panned onto the transfer conveyer as shown in diagram a.

It will be appreciated that during the cycle the shuttlebelts or webs will at times move relatively to the shuttle panner blades. while at other times they will be stationary relatively to each other.

The diagrams in Figures 2 and 3 indicate the relative positions of the shuttle conveyer-s or webs and panning blades, the full lines indicating the movements of the panner blades, while the broken lines indicate the movements of the webs.

Thus, referring to Figure 2 which illustrates the movements of the web and panning blades of the shuttle A and starting from the point x, which corresponds to' the position when the shuttlei's about to pan onto the intermediate or transfer conveyers, (that is when the shuttle is in the position shown in diagram 1 of Figure 1) the panning is eflfected by the blade moving to the left while the web has a movement to the right, marked respectivelwa. a. The shuttle is then moved inwardly and the panner blade moves to the right, as indicated by b; at the same time the web moves to the left, as indicated byb'. The

' shuttle is then in a position to receive a batch of biscuits.

move together, as indicated by (Land d, the parts now being at the position d, Figure 1.

During. the. next third of the cycle, while the shuttle B is receiving its batch; the shuttle A remains stationary at the point X, as indicated by the letters 1, f" in Figure 2.

The movements of the web and panning blade of the shuttle B are indicatedin the diagram, Figure 3.

Starting from the point X where the shuttle is in a position to pan biscuits onto the'transfer conveyer, corresponding to the position in diagram ,1. Figure 1, the panning blade moves rearwardly while the shuttle web movesforwardly as indicated by a and a in Figure 3.

During the next sixth of the cycle the blade moves forwardly as indicated by b. while the web remains stationary, as indicated by b. A further forward movement of the blade then occurs indicated by 0, while the web still remains stationary, as indicated by c'.- The shuttle B then moves 75 mon driving mechanism. These transfer bands 0 onto the ovens E isefiected d inwardly under the cutter panner (corresponding to positiond, Figure 1) to a position to receive a batch of biscuits. The blade and web now move forwardly together to receive the batch of bis- 0 cuits, as indicated by d', d; after which the shuttle is moved outwardly, the blade and web moving together rearwardly to a position for panning onto the transfer conveyer D.

' It will be, appreciated that the web and panner 5 blade of the shuttle B could follow a similar path to that of shuttle A, as indicated in the diagram, Figure 2, but it is found convenient to move shuttle B and its web and panner on the path as shown in Figure 3 for the purpose of shortening the length of the machine. I

" The transfer conveyer D may be of a suitable length to receive a plurality of series of laterally aligned batches, as indicated in the diagrams, Figure 1, which are spaced a batch length from one another and which are transferred to the ovens E to form continuous columns owing to the differential rate of travel of the, transfer conveyer D.

It will be noted that the pannin of the'biscuits g the half of the cycle indicated by the references d, e, f, Figure 1 so that by the time the batches are panned onto the oven the shuttles A and B and the cutter panner are ready to pan three further batches onto the otherend of the transferconveyer.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate the general arrangement of the machine operating according to the scheme set out in the diagrams, Figures 1 to 3, a-bis'cuit cutting ma chine. of known form is provided-which delivers biscuits to a conveyer 3| which in turn delivers to the cutting panner conveyer 32 having a reciprocating panner blade 33 'pivotally mounted upon a carriage 34 and adapted to be reciprocated .by an oscillating lever 35 which is coupled to the carriage by a link 38. The lever 35 is oscillated through a rotary cam (not shown) in known manner. i

The shuttles A alidlB comprise frames which reciprocate laterally upon tubular members 31 extending between the frames 38 of the machine. The transfer or differential conveyer comprises three bands 38 which are all driven from a comdeliver the batches of biscuits 'to three steel oven bands 40. a I

The shuttle mechanism and the differential transfer conveyerare driven 'from a common shaft 4! extending lengthwise of the machine which is driven from a shaft 42 through bevel gear 43, countershaft 44 and spur gearing 4l.-

Referring to Figs. 4a and 5a, shaft 42 is driven from shaft 11- (ofthe drive mechanism for the *cutter conveyer and its panner mechanism) through gears b and 0, gear cv being formed in the periphery of a cam disk d having a cam groove b', in which is engaged a cam follower e carried by a link I. Link I is forked at p and is supported thereby on the shaft 42 so that it is reciprocable relative to the shaft. At its other end link I is pivotally connected at j'to an arm 8 on the rock-shaft'of lever 35.v Adjustment of the length of the stroke imparted by lever ll is effected by varying the distance of the pivot I from the rock-shaft. This is done through hand wheel is which operates a screw and nut mechanism' of known type.

Referring more particularly to Figures 6, 7,

8 and 9 which illustrate the construction of a shuttle panner, a pair of side frames 44 is provided which are connected by tubular spacing members 41 adapted to slide upon the tubes 31. The side frames are provided with rollers 44 carried upon spindles 49 and supporting side angle pieces or longitudinals 50 which form the shuttle frame and with which the panner blade ii is connected.

The angles or longitudinals 50 are connected I together at intervals by spacers or bars 50a. The longitudinals carry racks l2 in-which pinions 53 mesh, such pinions being mounted upon a sleeve 54 provided with a key 55 engaging a groove ll in a driving spindle 51.

The spindle extends through the framing 30 of the machine and carries a pinion 58 which meshes with a gear wheel 58 mounted upon a stub shaft 80 fixed in the end of the tube 31. I

The gear wheel 59 has a pinion 8| keyed to its boss whereby the gear wheel may be driven as hereinafter referred to.

On rotation of the gear wheel 59 the splined shaft 51 is rotated and imparts movement to the pinion 53 and thus moves the shuttle frame 50, 50a. longitudinally of the machine.

. The web 62, Figure 6, is carried upon the shuttle frame, the ends being connected to bars 63 carried bya framework formed by a pair of rack bars 84 carrying rollers "which run upon the upper surface of the longitudinal members 50 of the shuttle frame as will be seen in Fig. 8.

The rack bars 64 mesh with pinions -66, Figure 9. mounted upona tubular shaft 61 enclosing a splined spindle 68. the shaft 61 being carried in bearings in the frame members 46. The shaft 81 is provided with a key engaging in a keyway' .69 in the shaft 88. v

The shaft 48 extends through the frame mem- 'ber 46 and also a bearing in the frame 38 of the machine and at its outer end is provided with a pinion l0 meshing with a gear wheel II on the hub of which a pinion 12 is provided adapted to be driven as hereinafter described.

The gear wheel H is mounted upon aistub spindle supported upon the frame I! of the machine.

The pinion l2 imparts motion to the spindle 68 by which the pinions 66 are driven and thus produces longitudinal movement of the web frame formed by the rack 94 and bars 99, .whereby movement of the web 92 relatively to the shuttle frame and panner blade may be effected.

The shuttle frame is held down to the rollers 5 49 by-guide rolls 13 on the tubular shaft 54 and also guide rolls I4 carried by a spindle I5 located in bearings in the side frames 46'.

It will be appreciated that when the shuttle is moved laterally with respect to the machine so 0 as to locate it beneath the cutter panner. the frame 49,-" will slide upon the tubes 31 and the drive to the shuttle and its conveyer will be maintained by the engagement of the keys with the spindles 51 and 68-.

15 Referring to Figure 6, the lateral movement of the shuttle is effected by linkage connected to the frame member 46 by a bolt passing through the aperture 16 in the boss 'II. The linkage for producing the transverse movements isshown in 20 Figure The shuttle A is connected by a link I9 to a lever I9 pivoted at 99 which lever is connected v by a link 8| to a crank disk 82.

Similarly the shuttle B is connected by a. link 99 to a lever 94 pivoted at 99 which is connected by a link 86 to a crank disc 91.

The drive and control of the crank discs 92 and 91 will be'hereinafter described.

Referring to Figures 10 to 14, a cam drum 99 0 mounted upon the cam shaft H is provided with a series of cam grooves 99, 99, 9| and 92, the cams 99 and 99 controlling respectively longitudinal movements of the panning blades of the shuttles A, B, while the cam grooves 9I and 92 control respectively the drive to the shuttle webs of shuttles A and B.

Dealing first with shuttle A. a toothed quadrant 99, Figure 11, meshing with the pinion 9| and pivoted at 94 is provided with a bowl or roller .40 99 engaging in the cam groove 99. The bowl 99 is mounted in a block 99 carried in a slide on the quadrant and controlled by gearing 91. whereby the relative disposition of the bowl 95 with regard to the quadrant may be altered for adjustment of the panner blade 5|.

Referring to Figure 11, a second pivoted toothed quadrant 99 gearing with the pinion I2 has a bowl engaging in the cam groove 9| and is 0 adapted to impart movement to the-web ofshuttle It will be appreciated that as the cam drum rotates the quadrants 93 and 99 will be pivoted to rotate the gears GI and I2 and thus impart a drive to the splined shafts 81 and 99, whereby .55 the racks are reciprocated to produce the desired motion of the panner blade frame and the web.

The drive of'the panner blade frame and the web of the shuttle B are effected similarly to shuttle A by means of toothed quadrants I99 and IM respectively which are pivoted upon shafts extending across the machine.

The shaft I99a associated with the quadrant 4 I99 is providedwith a lever I92 carrying. a bowl I99 engaging in the cam groove 99. The bowl I99 is mounted on the lever I92 in a similar manner to the toothed quadrant 99. whereby initial adjustmentof the panner blade may be effected.

The shaft extending across the machine and 7 associated with the toothed quadrant IN is provided with a lever I94 having a bowl I99 engaging in the cam groove 92.

In order to take the thrust ofthe cams imparted to the quadrants 99 and'99 and the levers 1 192 and .I99 the quadrants and levers are provided with guide rollers I99 which engage a stationary guide surface I91.

In Figure 10 a development of the four cams is shown. 4

One revolution of the drum 99 represents a complete cycle of operations as described with reference to the diagram, Figure 1.

The cams are divided into six portions a to f as indicated.

The cam drum rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 10.

Section 0 of the cams controls the panning of biscuits from both shuttles A and B by producing a backward movement of both shuttle frames simultaneously with a forward movement of both shuttle webs.

Section D of the cams produces a forward movement of the frame of shuttle panner A simultaneously with a backward movement of 'its web during which period the shuttle is moved under the cutter panner (see diagram 1), Figure 1). At the same time the section b of the cam drum produces a forward movement of the panner of shuttle B while the web thereof remains at rest.

Section 0 of the cams causes a forward movement .of the panner frames of shuttle A and also of its web during which period the shuttle receives a batch of biscuits. At the same time the frame of shuttle B moves forwardly while its web remains at rest.

Section d of the cams produces a backward movement of the panner of shuttle A and its web during which time they are moved outwardly (see diagram d, Figure 1) into a position to pan onto the transfer web. At the same time the section d will cause the panner and web of shuttle b to move backwardly together while the shuttle is being moved laterally beneath the cutter panner.

Section e of the cams maintains the frame of shuttle A and its web at rest while it causes the panner of shuttle]; and its web to move forwardly together to receive a batch of biscuits.

Section I of the cams maintains the panner frame and web of shuttle A at rest, and at the same time moves shuttle B panner and its web backwardly together into a position to pan the biscuits onto the transfer web.

The means for effecting the lateral movements of the shuttles'A and B to bring them beneath the cutter panner will now be described with reference to Figures'5, 14 and 15.

Referring to Figure 15, the crank discs 92 and 9'l are loamy. mounted to rotate on vertic'al axes under thecontrol of pawls I99 and I99. The

pawls are carried upon arms II9, I mounted upon bevel pinions III, III meshing with bevel wheels II4, II! mounted on the cam shaft 4|. The crank, discs are provided with a depending flange 'I I9 having diametrically disposed detents or'recesses H1, H9, with which the pawls are adapted to engage.

The rate of rotation between the bevel gear and the pinions is such that for each revolution of the cam shaft H the pinions III and Illare rotated three revolutions corresponding to a com- .plete panning cycle onto the ovens.

The pawls I99 and I99 are so controlled that duringa completeey'cle the crank discs have imparted to them two half revolutions separated by a period of rest which will produce a movement to bring each shuttle beneath the cutter panner and back again to its position laterally thereof.

Each pawl is controlled by a pivotally mounted latch device II9 under the control of a cam and also a fixed stop I20.

Each pawl I08, I09 is formed with a depending nose portion I2I, Figure 16, and with a down- 5 wardly projecting tail portion I22, see Figure 17. The tail portion is provided with a surface I23 which is adapted to engage the stop I20 to withdraw the pawl from detent II! or II8. At its other side the depending portion I22 is provided with a surface I24 adapted to engage a nose I25 on the latch II9 when the latter is in its down position, as'indicated in the right hand part of Figure 14, whereas, when the latch is raised by cam means hereinafter described into a position as shown at the left hand side of Figure 14,-no engagement of the face I24 with the latch occurs. The pawl is further provided'with a curved wall I26 which is adapted to engage the inner face of theflange II 6 when the pawl is pivoted to a position of non-engagement with the detentxI I! or II8. The depending nose portion I2I of the pawl is adapted to engage a projecting part I21 of the latch II9 when the latter is raised to a position as indicated at the left of Figure 14 for the purpose of preventing the pawl engaging in the detent III or II8.

The cycle of operations for the right-hand crank disc 82 which controls the lateral movements of the shuttle A is as follows:

With the parts in the position shown in the Figure (which corresponds to the position Y marked in the diagram Figure 2) the pawl I08 is in engagement with the detent I I1 and will rotate 85 the crank disc half a revolution so as to move the shuttle A beneath the cutter panner. The pawl at the end of this half revolution engages the fixed stop I20 by the wall I23 and is drawn out of engagement from the detent III. The pawl continues its movement (no drive of 40 the crank taking place) and when approaching its original position as shown in Figure 14 the wall I24 engages the nose I25 of the latch II9 which is in its lowest position. This pivots the pawl I08 and causes engagement of the nose I26 with the detent II8. Continued movement of the pawl rotates the crank disc'another half revolution to withdraw the shuttle A from beneath the cutter panner. At the end of this half revolution the pawl is again thrown out of engagement from the detent a by-the fixed stop no. The. pawl then approaches its original position, as shown in the figure, but in the meantime the latch has been raised by cam means as hereinafter de- 55 scribed so that no engagement between the wall I24 and the nose I25 is effected and further the nose I2I is prevented from engaging the detent III by the portion I21 of the latch. The pawl continues its movement for a complete revolu- 00 tion and comes back to its original position when the cycle is recommenced.

During the time that the disc is not under the control of the pawl, that is, when the latch is in gage the tooth I28 with the recess I 28a in the flange at the times when the pawl is free, while u the portions of the cam I251: and I2 hold the latch in the lower position to effect engagement of the pawl with the detent III or H3.

The latch I3I for controlling the movements of the left-hand crank disc 81 associated with the shuttle B is controlled by cam groove I32 similar 5 in shape to the cam groove I29, but displaced relatively to the cam I29, as indicated in Figure 19. The movements of the pawl I09 controlling the crank disc 81 associated with shuttle B may be followed from the diagram, Figure 3, representing 10 the movements of the shuttle B.- Thus, starting irom the position Y in Figure 3 which corresponds to the pawl I00 being out of engagement with the detent of the crank disc 81, the pawl makes a complete revolution corresponding to the move-. 15

ments b, 0 shown in thediagram, and is then engaged (the latch being in its downward position) with the crank disc 81 so as to drive the crank disc and move the shuttlebeneath the cutter panner. the crank disc bythe fixed stop and then continues its movement until it arrives at its, original position as' shown in Figure 14 when it again engages the detent of the disc and again drives the disc withdrawing the shuttle]; from beneath the cutter panner. The pawl isthen withdrawn from the detent by the fixed stop and continues its movement still out of engagement to the position shown in the figure when the latch rises and prevents engagement, the parts now being in the 30 position corresponding to Y in the diagram, Figure 3.

It will be appreciated that during its panning action the forward edge of the blade 33 of the cutter panner 32 will be at different heights depending upon whether it is panning to the shuttle panners .or directly to the transfer conveyer.

In order to effect the necessary displacement of the blade the latter is pivoted on the reciprocating carriage or framework 34 of the cutter panner (see Figures 20 and 21). The blade is provided with wheels I3I adapted to rest upon adjustable trackways I32 which are pivoted to the frame of the machine at I33. By adjusting the trackwaysl32 the forward edge of the blade 33 will be adjusted to the desired position.

The trackways I32 have levers I34 connected .to them and extending rearwardly of the pivot I33, said levers being connected by links I35 to a pivoted lever I35 at one side of the frame of the machine, and to an I31 at the other side, said arm and lever I35 being .keyed to a rock shaft I33.

The free arm of the lever I36 has a flat surface I39 which is located above and engaged by gravity with an adjusting screw I40 carried by a bell crank lever I (see Figure 22). The other arm of the bell crank carries a roller I42 adapted to engage a rotary cam I43 which is adjustably mounted upon the cam shaft 4|.

A will be moving inwardly, causes pivoting of the tracks I32 to produce a riseof the forward edge of the panner blade 33 to clear. the shuttle and at the end of the section b? lowers the forward edge into the position to pan. The section 0 corresponds to a back stroke of-the cutter The pawl is then released from 20 panner during which time the cutter pans onto shuttle A. Section it moves the tracks I32 to cause a rise of the cutter panner during the first portion of its forward stroke so as to clear the 5 biscuits panned onto shuttle A and to permit shuttle B to move into position. At the end of the section if? the cutter panner is lowered into position to pan onto shuttle B. Section e of the cam I48 corresponds to a back stroke of the panner during which time it is panning onto shuttle B. Section I of the cam I43 corresponding to a forward stroke of' a cutter panner causes the panner first to rise. to clear the biscuits on shuttle B and near the end of its forward stroke to be lowered into a position to pan on the transfer web.

The carriage 84 of the cutter panner is connected to the links 85 by sliding carriages I44 which are coupled to the frame 34 by screw adjusting means comprising a nut I45 connected to the frame 84 and a screwed rod I45 carried in the sliding carriage I44.

} The screwed rods I45 are splined to reciprocate through pinions I41 whereby adjustment of the blade may be effected by means of the hand wheels I48 which drive screws (not shown) meshing with the pinions I41.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 23 to 26, the transfer conveyers 88 are driven from common driving rolls I50, I5I located transversely of the machine and extend backwardly over the terminal roller I 52, Figure 4, and then pass forwardly over a panning knife I58 returning over guide roller I54 and roll I 55 mounted in-a reciprocating carriage I55. The conveyers then pass over a fixed guide roll I51 and back to the driving roll I50.

The panning blade I55 is mounted upon a carriage I58 which runs upon a platform. or framing of the machine I58.

The carriage I58 is connected by coupling rods I50 to a lever I5I pivoted at I52. The carriage I58 is also connected by links I58 to the carriage I55, which latter runs in guideways I54.

The drive to the transfer webs is effected by means of a sprocket chain I55 from the driven sprocket I55 which is driven from the cam shaft 4I by the, bevel gear I51. Referring to Figure 24, the chain passes around a sprocket I58 which drives a shaft I 58 having a spur gear I10 meshing with a gear "I on the driving roll I50. The driven roll I5I is geared to the driving roll 150 by gearing I12, I18.

Intermediate the sprockets m and m the chain is provided with two bights passing around sprockets I14, I15 mounted upon a reciprocating compensating carriage I15 guided in the guideway I11. Idle sprockets I18 and I15 are provided about which the chain passes to provide the bightengaging the sprocket I15. The. idle sprocket is mounted upon a lever I18a so that adjustment of the [tension of the chain may be effected. w

' As the compensating carriage I15 reciprocates the drive to the transfer conveyer will be increased abovev normal or retarded according to the direction of movement of the carriage. Thus, as'the carriage I15.moves tothe left (as shown in Figure 23) the mean speed-of the conveyer will be decreased, whereas when the carriage moves to the right the mean speed will be increased.

The movements of the carriage I15 are controlled by a lever I85 which is linked to the carriage by links I". Thelever carries ajbo wl or roller I82, Figure 26, engaging a groove in a drum cam I83 mounted upon the shaft H.

The point of connection between the lever I and links I8I is adjustable by means of a sliding block I84 to which the links are connected, which block is adjustable in the guideway- I85 by means of the screw I85.

The lever I80 is coupled to the lever I 5| by links I81, whereby the necessary panning movements are imparted to the panner blade I58 and also tothe conveyer take up carriage I55.

The connection of the links I81 to the lever I8I is capable of adjustment by means of the screw gear I88 operated by the handle I88 carried by the lever I5I.

The frame of the machine is provided with bearings- I80 supporting the shaft I8I of the drum I82 associated with the oven bands 40.

It will be obvious that shuttle A or shuttle B may alone be used where it is desired to pan to two ovens l the driving means being suitably modifled to the alteration in the relative speeds of the cutter panner and the ovens.

In carrying the invention into effect according to a modified arrangement as shown diagrammatically in Figure 27 and in which the cutter panner is adapted to deliver to three ovens, ashuttle panner may be provided operating from one side of the cutter panner and adapted to receive two batches of biscuits side by side and then pan these batches simultaneously with a batch from the cutter pann'er onto the transfer or intermediate web. With this arrangement the shuttle panner F may be normally positioned on the right of the cutter panner C. This will be the position when the shuttle panner and cutter panner simultaneously deliver batches of biscuits to the transfer conveyer D (as shown in Diagram k).

During the next forward stroke of the ci itter panner C the shuttle panner will move laterally beneath the cutter panner and also forwardly into a position to receive a right hand batch (as shown in Diagram 1). During the panning stroke of the cutter conveyer the shuttle panner moves forwardly to receive the right hand batch (as shown in Diagram m). The shuttle panner with its right hand batch then moves rearwardly and to the right of the cutter panner to be in a position to receive a left hand batch of biscuits (as shown in Diagram n). A panning stroke of the cutter conveyeris then effected while the shuttle panner moves forwardly to receive the left hand batch (as shown in Diagram 0). The shuttle panner then moves outwardly to the right. of the, cutter panner and rearwardly into a position to pan its two batches of biscuits onto the transfer conveyer simultaneously with the panning of a batch from the cutter panner C (as shown in Diagram 9).

The movements of the frame of the shuttle panner and its web are indicated diagrammatically in Figure 28,'the frame movements being indicated by full lines while the web movements are indicated by broken lines.

Thus starting from the point Z corresponding to the position of the parts when panning onto the transfer conveyer, the shuttle frame and panner blade .move rearwardly while the web moves forwardly, as indicated. respectively by k, k'.,

During the next sixth of the cycle the frame and blade move forwardly while the web moves rearwardly, at the same time the shuttle moves inwardly beneath the cutter panner to receive a right hand batch of biscuits. The frame and web then move together, as indicated by m, m in a forward direction to receive the right hand batch of biscuits. The shuttle is then moved out a distance equal to half its transverse-movement while the panner blade and web move rearwardly together, n, n. The shuttle now receives the left hand batch, theweb and blade moving forwardly, 0,0. The shuttle then moves laterally again to its full out position at the same time the panner blade and web move together rearwardly. This completes the cycle, the parts now.

being atthe point Z for panning the batches simultaneously with a batch from the cutter panner.

The lateral movements of the shuttle'F may be controlled by a single crank disc arrangement similar to that described in connection with Figures and 16 except that the return movements 7 n and 0 would be effected by'two quarter turns 2 of the crank instead of a half turn. This form of the invention may be utilized where it is desired to supply, for example, three ovens from the cutter panner:

- In theexamples previously described thepanner blades of the cutter panner and shuttle panners, while the shuttle is receiving a batch of biscuits from the cutter panner, move in opposite directions to one another so that the panning action 7 for panning a batch of biscuits is effected partly by the cutter panner and partly by the shuttle panner. plied to a case where the panner blades of the cutter panner and shuttle panner move inthe same direction. that is, they always move for- 5 wardly together and rarwardly together. Such a construction is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 29, in which the cutter panner C is adapted to supply two ovens.

According to this arrangement the shuttle G.

batch and atthe same time the shuttle web 5 moves rearwardly to align the forward edge of the left hand batch with the forward position of the cutter panner (as. shown in Diagram t).

During the next forward stroke of the cutter panner the shuttle panner moves forwardly to receive a right hand batch of biscuits (as shown in Diagram u). The shuttle then moves laterally and also forwardly into a position to pan the two batches while the cutter panner is moving forwardly (see Diagram 12).

During the next portion of the cycle (as shown in Diagram w which corresponds with Diagram s) the shuttle pans the two batches onto the transfer conveyer while at the same time a new left hand batch 'of biscuits is panned onto the shuttle by the cutter panner.

The movements of the shuttle web and panner are indicated in .the'diagram, Figure 30.

Starting from the point H, Figure 30 (corresponding to the position .where the-shuttle is about to pan onto the transfer web while at the same time receiving a further left hand batch from the cutter panner) the shuttle panner moves rearwardly while the web moves forwardly, s, a respectively. The shuttle then moves laterally (to a position to receive a right hand batch) while its panning blade moves forwardly, t and its'web moves rearwardly 't. The blade then moves rearwardly it while the web moves forwardly u receiving the batch. The shuttle then moves across.

7 the blade moving forwardly 1: while the webmoves I v a i The invention may, however, be apforwardly '0' so that the shuttle is' again in a v position to pan. 2

It will be noted the diagram for the movements of the weban open diagram as it will be appreciatedas above stated, that while the shuttle is panning two batches of biscuits it is also receiving av further batch on a fresh portion of its surface. Consequently the web in this case comprises a continuous conveying surface, fresh portions of which are constantly'being presented for the batches of biscuits.

Having thus described my invention, what Iv claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for feeding biscuits from a cutting machine conveyer to a plurality of""ovens, means for assembling side'by side batches of biscuits delivered by the cutting machine conveyer, transfer conveyer means located between the cutting machine conveyer and the ovens and means for driving said transfer conveyer means at differential rates corresponding tothe rate of travel of the cutting machine conveyer at one time and at another with the rate of travel of the oven conveyers.

2. Apparatus for mechanically feeding biscuits from a cutting machine conveyer to a plurality of ovens comprising a pair of shuttle panners located on either side of the cutting machine conveyer, each of said shuttle panners including a conveyer band and driving means for said shuttle panners to move them alternately beneath said conveyer to receive a batch of biscuits, and cause them to deposit such batch onto a transfer con veyer simultaneously with a batch direct from from a cutting machine output, conveyer to a plu-v rality of ovens comprising a shuttle panner including a conveyer band and located beneath said output conveyer and actuating means for said shuttle panner to move it laterally of said output conveyer to receive a pair of batches side by side, and operate the shuttle panner to deposit such batches onto'a transfer conveyer while receiving a further batch from said output conveyer.

5. Apparatus for mechanically feeding biscuits from a cutting machine output conveyer to a plurality of ovens comprising a shuttle panner including a" conveyer band and located at one side of the output conveyer and actuating means to move said shuttle panner beneath said output conveyer to'receive side by side a plurality of batches of biscuits, and to operate the shuttle panner to deposit such batches onto a transfer conveyer simultaneously with and beside a third batch direct from theoutpu't conveyer.

6. In apparatus for feeding biscuits from a cutting machine conveyer to a plurality of ovens, shuttle conveying means for advancing a plurality of biscuit batches on parallel paths laterally offset from said conveyer. and means for feeding at the same time a fresh batch of biscuits from the cutting machine conveyer onto said shuttle conveyin: means in the rear of one of said batches thereon.

7. Apparatus for mechanically feeding biscuits from a cutting machine conveyer to a plurality of ovens, comprising means for receiving batches of biscuits from said conveyer, means for offsetting said receiving means laterally. from the line of delivery of the cutting machine conveyer and means for advancing an offset batchabreast of and simultaneously with another batch fromthe cutting machine conveyer toward the ovens.

8. Apparatus for mechanically feeding biscuits from a cutting machine output conveyer to a plurality oi oven conveyers'traveling at a speeddiiierent from that of said cutting machine conveyer, comprising a shuttle panner adapted to' be moved transversely of the cutting machine conveyer between a position under the conveyer for receiving batches of biscuits therefrom and a position laterally of the conveyer for panning the biscuits therefrom, mechanism for moving the shuttle panner transversely and for imparting panning action to it in timed relation to the travel of said cutting machine conveyer, and transfer conveying means positioned to receive batches of biscuits panned from said shuttle panner, and driving means adapted to operate said conveying means at a diflerential speed corresponding to the movement of the cutting machine conveyer atone time and the oven conveyers at another time.

9. Apparatus for mechanically feeding biscuits from a cutting machine conveyer to a plurality of ovens, comprising means for receiving batches of biscuits from said conveyer, means for giving the batch of biscuits on said receiving means a rearward travel after delivery from said cutting machine conveyer, means for offsetting said receiving means laterally from the line of delivery of the cutting machine conveyer, and means for advancing said oflset batches abreast towards the ovens.

GEORGE RALPH BAKER. 

